HLM Architects awarded AJ100 Employer of the Year

Many congratulations to HLM Architects who have won the award for the second consecutive year in the face of exceptionally strong competition – particularly from JTP who were highly commended in the category. 

In light of the pandemic, the 26th edition of the AJ100 awards was hosted virtually this year, and took an in-depth look at the way we work, live, design and build to ensure a healthier and better future for all. Our Principal, Lucy Cahill took part in the judging process throughout and it was on the final day of the three-day event that Aly Peel, Associate at the Bespoke Careers London office stepped in and announced that HLM had won the award from a strong shortlist that included Architype, Arup Architecture, Assael Architecture, HTA Design, LSI Architects and TP Bennett. 

HLM are host to 177 staff across Sheffield, London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast and have been praised by judges for continuing to demonstrate their deep commitment to social mobility and widening access to the architecture profession – and finally, for their positive, employee-centric approach to the pandemic. 

A few of the things they achieved in the last year are:

• The design of a new, blended home-office ‘workplace of the future’ which will be piloted for six months
• The development of an ‘I-Belong’ framework for ‘allyship groups’ as part of wider inclusivity
• They signed up to the Social Mobility Pledge and have a policy of anonymising applications to promote equality within the recruitment process
• They became an employee ownership trust in December 2020 and have paid their first profit bonus payments. 

Finally, the practice also demonstrates diversity at a high level, with 60% of the trust board being female and four out of their five studios being female led. Sixteen percent of their architects are also from a BAME background.  Congratulations again to the team!